Reuse program aids farms

The projects were completed at the Bendigo and Heathcote Reclamation Plants and were part of routine maintenance at the two sites.

The maintenance works were also efforts to increase resource reuse.

Seven biosolid drying beds covering an area of 3.8 hectares were cleared at the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant.

More than 6643 tonnes of biosolids are now being reused on farms in the region.

“Biosolids are the end product of the wastewater treatment process and can be used on farms as a fertiliser to improve and maintain soil,” Coliban Water manager assets and operations Steve Dunlop said.

“We recognise the environmental value in reusing resources.

Biosolids are one way of turning a waste product into a valuable resource. The wastewater that comes into the Bendigo plant is also reused in a variety of ways.

“Following treatment at our Bendigo plant, water is released back into the environment, used for on-site irrigation or, after further treatment at our Recycled Water Factory, used for irrigating Bendigo’s parks, public gardens, sporting grounds and ovals,” Mr Dunlop said.

At the Heathcote Water Reclamation Plant two wastewater storage lagoons were dredged with sludge from the lagoons was pumped into large containers called Geotextile bags so the water could be removed.

Mr Dunlop said it is the first time Coliban Water has used this technique.

“The bags are made of a material that allows water to pass through it and are a low cost and efficient way of dewatering lagoons, while minimising odours,” he said.

“Around 230 tonnes of biosolids were removed from the Heathcote plant and taken to the drying beds at the Bendigo plant where it will dry further before being reused.”

For more information visit www.coliban.com.au and head to their wastewater page.